• Welcome 2013!!!

    Happy New Year!!!!  I am thankful for a great 2012 and looking forward to an awesome 2013 packed full of fun, memories, and adventure!  Wishing you and your family the very best during this new year! 🙂

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  • Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Continued)

    Now that we are through January 2011 you may be wondering how I  did with my No Grocery Shopping Month Challenge.  I did a lot better than I anticipated, but still had a hiccup or two.  Thankfully no one starved or went hungry in our house during my challenge.  We even hosted guests for a few meals!  It took a little extra planning on my part to cook meals from items already in the pantry and fridge, if we didn’t have something we did without it or found a creative way to make it out of what we had at home.  The amazing part is the entire family was supportive of my goal even if that meant a slightly altered menu.  The only comment I received from one of the girls that indicated they noticed was “Mom, did we eat up all the leftovers in the fridge because it looks a little empty?”

    Here is the complete list of groceries I purchased in the month of January:

    • 6 gallons of Milk
    • 1 loaf of Bread
    • 1 package Ground Hamburger
    • 1 package Cube Steaks
    • 2 Yogurts
    • 1 container French Onion Dip
    • 1 container Cottage Cheese
    • 1 package Flour Tortillas
    • 1 box Kellogg’s Toy Story 3 cereal

    The total spent on groceries for this month was $27.95 including the tax.   Milk was by far the most expensive part of our expenditures for the month of January adding up to $18.93.  We had an extra expense of $1.50 from the Kellogg’s Toy Story 3 cereal that did not meet my criteria.  Leaving only $7.52 for all of our other grocery purchases for the month of January which I bought last week.

    The food I bought had to meet the following criteria:

    • FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
    • Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
    • For Someone Else outside of my household.  For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.

    I have decided to continue with this challenge.  It has been wonderful not having to go to the grocery store every week for anything other than milk.  Our pantry still has plenty for us to eat and our freezer is fairly full.  So I am going to continue with this challenge into February and see how much longer I can make it stretch.

    One of the questions I have been asked is – What are we eating?  Do we have recipes for these meals?  To answer those questions I will be sharing a little more about what we are eating and recipes in a later post.

    I will continue to share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating  and sharing your story.  I am excited to be extending this goal into the first part of February!  It has been great learning to say “no” when at the grocery store to extras and being creative with we have at home.

    Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others.  Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff”  and if you are like us we just have too much.  I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives.  When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.

  • Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Update)

    We are now well  into week four of my no grocery shopping challenge for the month of January 2011.  It is time for me to give you an update so you can continue to keep me accountable.  Last week was an easy one for us because we were not at home, my husband and I had the privilege of going on a cruise with extended family and the girls were staying with friends. We did take food over with the girls but we didn’t have to buy any essentials or perishable items while we were away.

    Before leaving for vacation we ate the leftovers and most of the perishables in our refrigerator.  This week was the first time this month I had to pick up several perishable items.  Other than a gallon or two of milk a week we have been doing really well.  So far we have purchased 5 gallons of milk for the month of January.  Thankfully all the groceries I purchased this week were marked down except for the gallon of milk I paid $2.99 for at Save A Lot.  Here are the groceries I bought this week at Save A Lot | Rite Aid to restock the perishables in our fridge:

    • Ground Hamburger – $6.39 markdown to $3.18
    • Cube Steaks – $3.14 markdown to $1.59
    • 2 Yogurts – $0.50 markdown to $0.25 each
    • French Onion Dip – $1.29 markdown to $0.64
    • Cottage Cheese (24 oz) – $2.25 markdown to $1.12
    • Flour Tortillas – $0.99 markdown to $0.49

    I spent a total of $7.52 including tax.  By only purchasing the markdown items I was able to save over $8 on the perishable items we needed for our family.  With the exception of the french onion dip everything would meet my criteria of a necessity for our household.  Every home has different perishable items they need to keep in stock; meat and diary fit into that category for us (within reason), although, I have been trying to cut down on the amount I purchase to make sure we really do use the items already in stock.  Fruits and veggies are ones I would consider necessary too (in moderation), however, we are still using up the ones we had from several weeks ago as well as those we froze from the garden this summer.   The french onion dip is one I felt the most “guilty” about buying but since it was $0.64 for a large container and we are going to a Super Bowl party outside our home it technically falls under my criteria of  “for Someone Else outside of my household” (I may be stretching that criteria a little). Even though it was a good bargain and it is for people outside of my home I probably could have made something from scratch with the items already in my pantry.

    I am hoping these will be the last items we have to purchase for the month of January (with an exception to milk) and maybe even into February if I am really lucky.  These groceries should last at least a couple weeks when we put them together with the food we already have in our freezer and pantry!  So far I haven’t done too bad with the challenge.  I have had to pass up on a couple really great deals, but the point is to use the items in stock before buying more.

    I will continue to share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating  and sharing your story.  I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!

    Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others.  Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff”  and if you are like us we just have too much.  I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives.  When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.

  • Save A Lot | Rite Aid: Deals for the week of January 26 – February 1, 2011

    Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot | Rite Aid stores.

    Meats and Seafood

    Bone-In Pork Chops – $1.99 per lb

    Ground Beef (5 lb) – $8.95

    Chicken Thighs – $0.99 per lb

    Fairgrounds Premium Lunch Meat – $2.99

    Household

    Charmin Basic Bath Tissue – $5
    Use $2.50/2 coupon from 1/30 Red Plum (Expires 3/31/11)
    Use $1/1 coupon from 2/1 Ebony Magazine (Expires 3/31/11)
    Use $0.25/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    As low as $3.75 each after coupon

    Produce

    Lettuce – $0.99

    Apples (Gala or Golden Delicious) 3 lb – $1.50

    Bananas – $0.39 per lb

    Fresh Express Salad – $0.99

    Grocery

    Coke & Coke Products – $3.33

    Maruchan Yakisoba Noodles – $0.49
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)
    FREE plus overage after each coupon

    Hershey’s, Mars, or Russell Stover – $4.99
    Use $1/1 Russell Stover coupon 12/12 Smart Source (Expires 2/14/11)
    Use $0.50/1 Russell Stover coupon 12/12 Smart Source (Expires 2/14/11)
    $3.99 each after coupon

    Michlina’s Budget Gourmet Meals – $0.50
    Use $1/5 printable coupon from Michelina
    $0.30 each after coupon

    Act II Popcorn – $0.79

    J Higgs Potato Chips – $0.99

    Simplify Purified Water – $2.49

    Ruby Kist Apple Juice Cocktail – $0.99

    Kruncher’s Potato Chips – $2.00

    JJ’s Fruit Pies – $0.33

    Whitman’s Sampler – $6.99
    Use $1/1 coupon from 12/12 Smart Source (Expires 2/14/11)
    $5.99 each after coupon

    Health & Beauty

    Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers – $2.50

    Colgate Total Toothpaste – B1G1F
    Use $1/1 coupon from 1/16 Smart Source (Expires 2/5/11)

    Prilosec – $24.99
    $7 UP Rewards
    Use $3/1 coupon 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    Use $1/1 coupon 1/16 Proctor & Gamble (2/28/11)
    $14.99 each after UP Rewards

    Metamucil – $9.99
    $3 UP Rewards
    Use $2/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $4.99 each after UP Rewards

    Abreva – $16.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    $14.99 each after UP Rewards

    All Nature Made Vitamins & Supplements – B1G1F

    NyQuil or DayQuil – $4.99
    Use $1.50/1 coupon 1/16 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 2/28/11)
    Use $1/1 coupon 1/16 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 2/28/11)
    Use $3/2 coupon when you buy both 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $3.49 each after coupon

    Afrin or Coricidin – $5.99
    $4 UP Rewards
    Use $4/1 coupon from 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 1/30/11)
    Use $3/1 coupon from 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 1/30/11)
    Use $3/1 printable coupon from Coupons
    FREE plus overage each after coupon and UP Rewards

    Rite Aid Hydrogen Peroxide, Alcohol, Gloves or Face Masks – B1G1F

    Gillette Fusion Proglide Razor – $9.99
    $5 UP Rewards
    Use $4/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $0.99 each after coupon and UP Rewards

    Enroll in the free Rite Aid Wellness Rewards Program and earn up to 20% off drugstore purchases as well as UP Rewards.  Remember to use any UP Rewards you currently have to get additional savings on your purchase.

    For more information about Save A Lot | Rite Aid’s coupon policies go here.

    If you discovery another coupon for additional savings let me know and I will add it.

  • Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping

    Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights and to focus on what’s really important in life.  In 2011 I have made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me.  I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.

    First Life Simplified Goal:

    • No Grocery Shopping (except for necessities) in the month of January.

    Explanation of the Goal: My goal during the month of January is to not shop for groceries other than necessities (milk, eggs, bread).  Our freezer is full and our pantry is overflowing with all the great deals that we have received.  One of the reason for the goal is that I want to use the items I have and not waste them.  Stockpiling is wonderful but there may come a point when we need to eat through that stockpile before it expires, save the extra money to work on a financial goal, and be creative with what we have at home.  I have been thinking about this challenge for several weeks after doing Operation Christmas Child and other charities over the Holidays it really hit me that we have been blessed yet there are children and families that have nothing.  Menu planning may take a little extra creative thinking on my part but I think I can do it. If I do purchase something it needs to meet one of the following criteria:

    • FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
    • Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
    • For Someone Else outside of my household.  For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.

    I have already started this goal.   The only things I have purchased this month so far have been a loaf of bread and 2 gallons of milk.  Last week we ate a bunch of leftovers for several days after my our family guests left since our fridge was full and we don’t want to waste the food we have.  It takes a little more time and focus to come up with a menu but everyone seems to be doing pretty well.  The real challenge will come at the end of the month when we are getting low in the pantry and when we host guests!

    I will share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating  and sharing your story.  I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!

    Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others.  Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff”  and if you are like us we just have too much.  I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives.  When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.

  • New Upromise eCoupons for January 2011

    Upromise has posted their new eCoupons for the month of January 2011. Remember to activate them to get additional savings. If you have not yet signed up for Upromise you can get more information regarding on our experience or at directly at the Upromise website.

    This month they have 30 coupons you can activate for bonus savings.  Here are some of the name brand items you can buy and get bonus cash back from using your eCoupons in January:

    • Krazy Glue
    • Elmer’s Glue & Craft Items
    • Wacky Mac
    • No Yolks
    • Fisher
    • Snyder’s of Hanover
    • Farmland Meats
    • Charmin
    • Bounty
    • Filippo Berio
    • Puffs
    • Krunchers!
    • O-Ke-Doke

      • Earn a bonus $0.40 and up (several are for $1 or more) for purchasing items on the eCoupons list from these companies. You may already buy some of these products! Once you activate your eCoupons all you have to do is scan your rewards card or pay for your purchase at the store and it will add the cash to your account. You don’t even have to carry any coupons to get the rewards!

      You can go to their website for more information on the Upromise program, it’s free to join.

  • Save A Lot | Rite Aid: Deals for the week of January 5-11, 2011

    Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot | Rite Aid stores.

    Meats and Seafood

    Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Sausage – $2.99
    Use $0.35/1 coupon found in package (Expires 2/1/11)
    $2.64 each after coupon

    Ground Beef (5 lbs) – $8.95

    Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – $5.99

    Country Style Ribs – $2.49 per lb

    Fairgrounds Jumbo Hot Dogs – $1.29

    Carolina Ground Turkey (16 oz) – $1.00

    Oscar Mayer Fully Cook Bacon – $2.49
    Use $1/2 printable coupon from Kraft
    $1.99 each after coupon

    Fridge and Freezer

    Wylwood Frozen Broccoli Cuts – $1.29

    Household

    Xtra Laundry Detergent – $1.99

    Charmin Basic – $5.00
    Use $1/1 coupon from 11/28 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 12/31/10)
    $4.00 each after coupon

    Facial Tissues – $0.99

    Produce

    Bananas – $0.39 per lb

    Fresh Express Salad Mix Bags – $0.99
    Use $0.50 printable coupon from Fresh Express
    $0.49 each after coupon

    Grocery

    Pepsi & Pepsi Products (12 Packs) – $3.33

    Malt O Meal Giant Size Cereal (Assorted Varieties) – $2.99
    $0.75/1 printable coupon from Malt O Meal
    $2.24 each after coupon

    Hargis House Chili with Beans – $0.99

    Krunchers Potato Chips – $2.00

    JJ’s Fruit Pies – $0.33

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.39

    Sundia True Fruit Cups – $0.89

    Mantia’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – $2.49

    J. Higgs Potato Chips – $0.99

    Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69

    Life Savers, Swedish Fish, Sour Patch, Twizzlers, Troli, Haribo, or Black Forest – $1.00

    LeCour’s Gourmet Sandwich Creme Cookies – $1.49

    Simplify Soda – $0.79

    Marcum Iodized Salt – $0.39

    Bay Mist Juice Cocktails – $1.99

    Health & Beauty

    Aleve – $8.99
    $1 UP Rewards
    Use $2/1 printable coupon from Coupons
    Use $1/1 coupon from 10/24 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/11)
    $5.99 each after coupon and UP Rewards

    Bayer – $8.99
    $1 UP Rewards
    Use $11/1 coupon from 1/2 Smart Source (Expires 3/31/11)
    $6.99 each after UP Rewards

    Rite Aid Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naproxen Sodium – B1G1F

    Fructis Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers – $3.0
    Use $2/1 printable coupon from Garnier
    Use $1/1 coupon from 12/5 Red Plum (Expires 1/15/11)
    $2.00 each after coupon

    Motrin PM – $3.00
    $2 UP Rewards when you buy 2
    Use $2/1 coupon from November All You Magazine (Expires 1/31/11)
    Use $1/1 printable coupon from Motrin
    $0.00 each after coupons and UP Rewards

    Airborne – $5.99
    $1 UP Rewards
    Use $1/1 coupon from 11/14 Smart Source (Expires 1/8/11)
    $3.99 each after UP Rewards

    Listerne or Reach – $4.00
    $3.00 UP Rewards
    $3.00 each after UP Rewards

    Caress or Lever Bath Bars or Sauve Body Wash – $1.99
    Use $1/1 Lever printable coupon from Coupons
    $0.99 each after coupon

    Aveeno Shampoo or Conditioner – $5.99
    $1 UP Rewards
    Use $3/2 printable coupon from Coupons
    $3.49 each after coupon and UP Rewards

    Monistat 1 Day Treatments – $16.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    Use $2/1 printable coupon from Coupons
    $12.99 each after UP Rewards

    Rite Aid Protective Underwear – $12
    $4 UP Rewards when you buy 2
    $10 each after UP Rewards

    Rite Aid Tussin – $3.99

    Rite Aid Pink Bismuth Stomach Relief – $2.49

    Baby Items

    Huggies Big Pack Diapers – $19.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    Use $3/1 printable coupon from Coupons
    $14.99 each after UP Rewards

    Enroll in the free Rite Aid Wellness Rewards Program and earn up to 20% off drugstore purchases as well as UP Rewards.  Remember to use any UP Rewards you currently have to get additional savings on your purchase.

    For more information about Save A Lot | Rite Aid’s coupon policies go here.

    If you discovery another coupon for additional savings let me know and I will add it.

  • Save A Lot | Rite Aid: Deals for the week of December 29, 2010 – January 4, 2011

    Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot | Rite Aid stores.

    Meats and Seafood

    Banquet Brown ‘N Serve Sausage – $2.99
    Use $0.35/1 coupon found in package (Expires 2/1/11)
    $2.64 each after coupon

    Fairgrounds Premium Lunch meat – $2.99

    Ground Beef (5 lbs) – $8.95

    Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – $5.99

    Country Style Ribs – $2.49 per lbs

    Fairgrounds Jumbo Hot Dogs – $1.29

    Carolina Ground Turkey – $1.00

    Fridge and Freezer

    Tony’s Crisy Crust Pizza – $0.89
    Use $1/2 printable coupon from Tony’s
    $0.39 each after coupon

    Wylwood Frozen Broccoli Cuts – $1.29

    Armour Lunch Makers – $1.99

    Corburn  Farms EggZactly – $1.79

    Corbun Farms Yogurt – $0.50

    Household

    Xtra Laundry Detergent – $1.99

    Charmin Basic – $5.00
    Use $1/1 coupon from 11/28 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 12/31/10)
    $4.00 each after coupon

    Simplify Bathroom Tissue – $4.99

    Produce

    Bananas – $0.39 per lbs

    Apples – Red Delicious, Gala, Golden Delicious (3 lbs) – $1.50

    Grocery

    Coke & Coke Products (12 Packs)* – $2.50
    *You must buy 4 to get this price

    Malt O Meal Giant Size Cereal (Assorted Varieties) – $2.99
    $0.75/1 printable coupon from Malt O Meal
    $2.24 each after coupon

    Hunt’s Manwich – $0.99

    Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce – $0.79

    Hargis House Vienna Sausages – $0.39

    Hargis House Chili No Beans – $1.29

    Kool-Aid Burstin Waters – $0.99

    J. Higgs Classic Saltines – $0.89

    O Day’s Mac & Cheese Dinner – $0.33

    Rollin Oats Instant Oatmeal – $1.49

    Krunchers Potato Chips – $2.00
    Use $1/1 coupon from 9/26 Smart Source (Expires 12/31/10)
    $1.00 each after coupon

    JJ’s Fruit Pies – $0.33

    Health & Beauty

    Rite Aid Non-Aspirin Cold Suphedrine – $3.99
    $1 UP Reward
    $2.99 each after UP Rewards

    All Nature Made Vitamins & Herbal Supplements – B1G1F

    Nicorette Gum or Nicoderm CQ Patch – $39.99
    $5 UP Rewards
    $34.99 each after UP Rewards

    Mucinex – $8.99
    Use $1/1 coupon from 11/14 Smart Source (Expires 2/14/11)
    Use $1/1 coupon from 12/12 Smart Source (Expires 3/12/11)
    $7.99 each after coupon

    Rite Aid Cotton Balls & Rounds – $1.29
    $0.50 UP Rewards
    $0.79 each after UP Rewards

    Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste – $2.50
    Use $1/1 printable coupon from Aquafresh
    Use $0.50/1 coupon from 10/31 Red Plum (Expires 12/31/10)
    $1.50 each after coupon

    Prilosec (28 tablets) – $18.99
    $3 UP Rewards
    Use $3/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $12.99 each after UP Rewards

    Abreva – $14.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    $12.99 each after UP Rewards

    Fiber Choice – $9.99
    $3 UP Rewards
    $6.99 each after UP Rewards

    Tums Antacid – $4.00
    $2 UP Rewards when you buy 2
    Use $2/2 coupon from 11/14 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/11)
    Use $1/2 coupon from 11/14 Red Plum (Expires 1/31/11)
    $2.00 each after UP Rewards

    Super Poligrip – $4.49

    Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner $5.99
    Use $3/2 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $4.49 each after coupon

    Head & Shoulders Shampoo – $5.99
    Use $2/2 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $4.99 each after coupon

    Rite Aid Nite Time Cold / Flu – $2.99
    $1 UP Rewards
    $1.99 each after UP Rewards

    Just for Men Hair Color – $6.99
    Use $2/1 printable coupon from Just for Men
    $4.99 each after coupon

    Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion – $2.99

    Centrum – $9.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    Use $1/1 coupon from 10/3 Red Plum (Expires 12/31/10)
    Use $1/1 printable coupon from Red Plum
    $6.99 each after UP Rewards

    Always Maxi Pads  or Tampax Pearl– $6.99
    $1.50 UP Rewards
    Use $1/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    Use $2/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $3.49 each after UP Rewards

    Baby Items

    Huggies Big Pack Diapers – $19.99
    $2 UP Rewards
    Use $3/1 printable coupon from Coupons
    $14.99 each after UP Rewards

    Enroll in the free Rite Aid Wellness Rewards Program and earn up to 20% off drugstore purchases as well as UP Rewards.  Remember to use any UP Rewards you currently have to get additional savings on your purchase.

    For more information about Save A Lot | Rite Aid’s coupon policies go here.

    If you discovery another coupon for additional savings let me know and I will add it.